Pliny: Natural History, Vol. II

PLINY: NATURAL HISTORY | BOOK III. I. 11-13

11 The towns of the jurisdiction of Hispalis Seville are Celti, Axati, Arua, Canama, Evia, and Ilipa, with the surname Ilpa Italica. On the left bank is the colony of Hispal, surnamed Romulensis, and on the opposite side the town of Osset, which is surnamed Julia Constantia; also Vergentum, which is called Iuli Genius, Orippo, Caura, Siarum, and the river Maenuba, which itself flows into the Baetis Guadalquivir on the right side. Between the estuaries of the Baetis are the town of Nabrissa, surnamed Veneria, and Colobana; the colonies of Hasta, which is called Regia, and, in the interior, Asido, which is called Caesarina.

12 The river Singilis, flowing into the Baetis in the order already mentioned, washes the colony of Astigi, surnamed Augusta Firma, from which point it becomes navigable. The other colonies in this jurisdiction that are exempt from tribute are Tucci, which is surnamed Augusta Gemella, Iptuci, which is called Virtus Julia, Ucubi, which is called Claritas Julia, and Urso, which is called Genetiva Urbanorum; among these was once Munda, which was taken alongside the younger Pompey. Gnaeus, the eldest son of Pompeius Magnus, was defeated at Munda (possibly near Cordova) in 45 B.C., and was captured and killed shortly thereafter; the town was destroyed. The free towns are Astigi Vetus and Ostippo, with the tributary towns of Callet, Callicula, Castra Gemina, Ilipula Minor, Marruca, Sacrana, Obulcula, Oningis, Sabora, and Ventippo. The river Maenuba, which is itself navigable, is inhabited not far from its banks by the people of Olontigi, Laelia, and Lastigi.

13 The region that stretches from the Baetis to the river Ana Guadiana beyond the aforementioned places is called Baeturia. It is divided into two parts and an equal number of peoples: the Celtici, who touch upon Lusitania, belong to the jurisdiction of Hispalis, while the Turduli, who dwell on the borders of Lusitania and the Tarraconensian province, belong to the jurisdiction of

Cordova. It is evident that the Celtici arrived from the Celtiberians of Lusitania, as proven by their sacred rites, their language, and the names of their towns.